Rep. Chris Stearns is sworn in as Speaker Pro Tempore by Justice Steven C. González. (Photo courtesy of the House of Representatives / LSS.)
OLYMPIA – On Tuesday, the second day of the 2025 legislative session, House Representative Chris Stearns (D-Auburn) was sworn in as Speaker Pro Tempore. The Speaker Pro Tempore presides during floor debate when the Speaker is absent or incapacitated.
“I am honored to have been elected by my colleagues as Speaker Pro Tempore,” said Rep. Stearns. “Each lawmaker in this chamber was elected by the people of Washington to be their representative in Olympia, regardless of party. I will continue to honor the voters and my colleagues by fulfilling the duties of the Speaker when called on to do so, and listening with empathy and respect to members from both sides of the aisle.”
Stearns represents the 47th legislative district which includes the cities of Auburn, Kent and Covington. This will be his second legislative session and his first in a caucus leadership role. Stearns chairs the Members of Color Caucus and is co-chair of the House Nuclear Energy Caucus. He serves as Vice-Chair of the House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee and also serves on the Capital Budget, Environment & Energy, and Rules Committees.
The 2025 legislative session began Monday, January 13, 2025.
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Video link to speech: https://youtu.be/t8Bb-5kNogU?si=7iv4f4aTHeaUVM3k